When you test your counter, be sure to to test the WHOLE counter, It is likely that when there is RADON in the counter its in one or two places in a 6" radius
Every where I have read it clearly admits that Granite gives off radiation/Radon. I have just stopped my order, planned to get my kitchen (Black Galaxy) counter tops. I work at a University and a professor pulled me aside and informed me about Radon in Granite. This all makes sense now. We need to keep Granite in it's natural state. Sure looks beautiful, but I will not chance it.
Consider that many of the "granite" slabs sold for decorative use are not granite. My sister has a beautiful "black granite" slab in her kitchen that even someone who took Geology 101 could easily identify as anorthosite. (Look at that labradorescence)! If it is dark colored - not granite. Less than 25% quartz - not granite. More than 10% biotite - not granite. The most likely contender for radioactivity in countertops is pegmatite. No need for hysteria about this imaginary horrible.
We had our granite installed in March. I had pre called the yard to see if I could bring my counters, and they said sure. I tested about 20 slabs. I found one that had a couple spots 400 uR/h on my PM 1703. All the the others were between 125-250 CPM, with background 45-50 CPM. Really pretty low readings. Our "Golden Persha" averages 125-175 CPM with a background of 44-50. Our Safety Siren Pro radon detector comes in at 2.6-2.8, with EPA limits of no more than 4.0, we feel pretty safe.
radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer, so i dont believe this "not much of a risk" quote. we are around a bunch of radiation already, why add more radiation with granite?? it just boggles my mind, its like quitting smoking and then hanging out in a smoke filled bar all day and night.
Radiation and radon are two separate issues. Even so, test results show that the most of the granite sold for use as countertops do not emit radiation or radon in levels of concern. Bananas contain radioactive Potassium (K-40). The level of radiation emitted from bananas is very low, but what you are saying is no bananas, or for that matter sleeping next to a loved one, they emit radiation as well.
Mr. Brennan is correct. Since you are standing perpendicular to the countertop and are not laying on top of it, radiation exposure is not a concern. The average American is exposed to about 300,000 microR (uR) each year from natural radiation no medical included. Given that fact and taking a reading of 460 uR/hr on the surface of the countertop, it would take over 650 hours of laying flat on top of the countertop to double your background exposure. Not much risk if you ask me.
uranium is dangerous, and some granite countertops since every peice is NOT checked when it is imported contain dangerous amounts of uranium, it emits radiation for millions of years dont chance it, go with a countertop that doesnt emit radiation, boom simple fix. stainless steel would be my choice, you dont have to RESEAL IT every 5 years, and it doesnt emit toxic amounts of radiation that is dangerous to babies, pets me and YOU.
Uranium (U) can be found in nature and is often found in soil in small quantities. To make a general statement that U is dangerous is not necessarily true. Are you referring to natural U, U-235, U-238, U-234, DU? What is the concentration? Many people have rock samples containing U and they pose no major health risk to the individual. There have been studies performed in the US on granites being sold for countertops. The majority do not emit radiation.
@eenie2010 i dont think so, ALL granite emits radiation because ALL of it has uranium in it. there isnt a peice of granite on the face of the earth that doesnt emit radiation because it has URANIUM IN IT, which is highly dangerous.
Sorry to disagree, but the tests don't substantiate that there is radiation emitted from most granites. Maybe it has U in it, but at concentrations so low that it isn't measureable above background. That is why you can't say U is dangerous without stating the context. Perhaps it is at low concentrations like the soil around your house and that your food grows in or perhaps it is contained in a sample that doesn't let the radiation out and the radiation is absorded by the material - not emitted.
Please beware of videos posted by TCSRock78. They promote misinformation and he will not allow corrections to be posted. He deletes comments from personnel working in the Health Physics field when they provide citations and proof to back up their facts. He also blocks people that post comments outside of his erroneous beliefs.
It not the meter's fault, just the individual interpreting what numbers mean and what risk might be. It appears you are assigning risk from exposures to high levels of radiation to low level exposures. That's like saying driving a car at 20 mph is just as dangerous as driving at 120 mph. Is there a risk at 20 mph -sure! Is it the same risk as driving at 120 mph - not close. Since being outdoors can increase your radiation exposure (sun), TCSRock78 shouldn't go outside!
When you test your counter, be sure to to test the WHOLE counter, It is likely that when there is RADON in the counter its in one or two places in a 6" radius
fredf88 7 months ago
Every where I have read it clearly admits that Granite gives off radiation/Radon. I have just stopped my order, planned to get my kitchen (Black Galaxy) counter tops. I work at a University and a professor pulled me aside and informed me about Radon in Granite. This all makes sense now. We need to keep Granite in it's natural state. Sure looks beautiful, but I will not chance it.
sceja56 1 year ago
Consider that many of the "granite" slabs sold for decorative use are not granite. My sister has a beautiful "black granite" slab in her kitchen that even someone who took Geology 101 could easily identify as anorthosite. (Look at that labradorescence)! If it is dark colored - not granite. Less than 25% quartz - not granite. More than 10% biotite - not granite. The most likely contender for radioactivity in countertops is pegmatite. No need for hysteria about this imaginary horrible.
parkero 1 year ago
We had our granite installed in March. I had pre called the yard to see if I could bring my counters, and they said sure. I tested about 20 slabs. I found one that had a couple spots 400 uR/h on my PM 1703. All the the others were between 125-250 CPM, with background 45-50 CPM. Really pretty low readings. Our "Golden Persha" averages 125-175 CPM with a background of 44-50. Our Safety Siren Pro radon detector comes in at 2.6-2.8, with EPA limits of no more than 4.0, we feel pretty safe.
dahur 1 year ago
radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer, so i dont believe this "not much of a risk" quote. we are around a bunch of radiation already, why add more radiation with granite?? it just boggles my mind, its like quitting smoking and then hanging out in a smoke filled bar all day and night.
Napalmdeath420 2 years ago
Radiation and radon are two separate issues. Even so, test results show that the most of the granite sold for use as countertops do not emit radiation or radon in levels of concern. Bananas contain radioactive Potassium (K-40). The level of radiation emitted from bananas is very low, but what you are saying is no bananas, or for that matter sleeping next to a loved one, they emit radiation as well.
eenie2010 2 years ago
Mr. Brennan is correct. Since you are standing perpendicular to the countertop and are not laying on top of it, radiation exposure is not a concern. The average American is exposed to about 300,000 microR (uR) each year from natural radiation no medical included. Given that fact and taking a reading of 460 uR/hr on the surface of the countertop, it would take over 650 hours of laying flat on top of the countertop to double your background exposure. Not much risk if you ask me.
81dawgfr 2 years ago
uranium is dangerous, and some granite countertops since every peice is NOT checked when it is imported contain dangerous amounts of uranium, it emits radiation for millions of years dont chance it, go with a countertop that doesnt emit radiation, boom simple fix. stainless steel would be my choice, you dont have to RESEAL IT every 5 years, and it doesnt emit toxic amounts of radiation that is dangerous to babies, pets me and YOU.
Napalmdeath420 2 years ago
Uranium (U) can be found in nature and is often found in soil in small quantities. To make a general statement that U is dangerous is not necessarily true. Are you referring to natural U, U-235, U-238, U-234, DU? What is the concentration? Many people have rock samples containing U and they pose no major health risk to the individual. There have been studies performed in the US on granites being sold for countertops. The majority do not emit radiation.
eenie2010 2 years ago
@eenie2010 i dont think so, ALL granite emits radiation because ALL of it has uranium in it. there isnt a peice of granite on the face of the earth that doesnt emit radiation because it has URANIUM IN IT, which is highly dangerous.
Napalmdeath420 2 years ago
Sorry to disagree, but the tests don't substantiate that there is radiation emitted from most granites. Maybe it has U in it, but at concentrations so low that it isn't measureable above background. That is why you can't say U is dangerous without stating the context. Perhaps it is at low concentrations like the soil around your house and that your food grows in or perhaps it is contained in a sample that doesn't let the radiation out and the radiation is absorded by the material - not emitted.
eenie2010 2 years ago
Please beware of videos posted by TCSRock78. They promote misinformation and he will not allow corrections to be posted. He deletes comments from personnel working in the Health Physics field when they provide citations and proof to back up their facts. He also blocks people that post comments outside of his erroneous beliefs.
neuroticnewman 2 years ago 2
Yea, gotta watch those meters. They lie you know, just like those damned sheep...
TCSRock78 2 years ago
It not the meter's fault, just the individual interpreting what numbers mean and what risk might be. It appears you are assigning risk from exposures to high levels of radiation to low level exposures. That's like saying driving a car at 20 mph is just as dangerous as driving at 120 mph. Is there a risk at 20 mph -sure! Is it the same risk as driving at 120 mph - not close. Since being outdoors can increase your radiation exposure (sun), TCSRock78 shouldn't go outside!
eenie2010 2 years ago